Compressor installation

Abstract

Compressor installation with a compressor element, an outlet with an outlet line, and a dryer, that is provided with a drying section and a regeneration section. The drying section is provided with a first inlet and a first outlet. The first inlet is connected to the outlet line. The regeneration section is provided with a second inlet and a second outlet. A regeneration line (is provided between the second inlet and a first point of the outlet line. At the second outlet a return line connects the second outlet to a second point (on the outlet line downstream of the first point. A primary portion of a heat exchanger is incorporated in the return line. A secondary portion of the heat exchanger is incorporated in an oil circuit of the compressor element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compressor installation comprising at least one compressor element with an associated oil circuit, wherein the compressor element is provided with an outlet with an outlet line connected thereto, wherein the compressor installation is further provided with a dryer for drying a compressed gas originating from the compressor element, wherein the dryer is of the type that uses a drying agent or desiccant, wherein the dryer is provided with a drying section and with a regeneration section, wherein the drying section is provided with a first inlet for compressed gas to be dried and a first outlet for dried compressed gas, wherein the first inlet is connected to said outlet line for the supply of compressed gas to be dried, wherein the regeneration section is provided with a second inlet and a second outlet for regeneration gas, wherein a regeneration line is provided between said second inlet and a first point of the outlet line for branching off a portion of the compressed gas to be dried, wherein at said second outlet a return line is connected that connects the second outlet to a second point on the outlet line downstream of said first point, wherein, in the return line, a primary portion of a heat exchanger is incorporated for cooling the regeneration gas, wherein a secondary portion of the heat exchanger is incorporated into the oil circuit of the compressor element. 
     
     
         2 . The compressor installation according to  claim 1 , wherein the oil circuit is provided with an oil reservoir and with an oil pump for circulating the oil from the oil reservoir, wherein the oil circuit is further provided with an oil line that runs from the oil reservoir to a cooling jacket of the compressor element, then to the secondary portion of said heat exchanger and then back to the oil reservoir. 
     
     
         3 . The compressor installation according to  claim 1 , wherein the oil circuit is provided with an oil reservoir and with an oil pump for circulating the oil from the oil reservoir, wherein the oil circuit is further provided with an oil line that runs from the oil reservoir to the secondary portion of said heat exchanger, then to the compressor element for its lubrication and then back to the oil reservoir. 
     
     
         4 . The compressor installation according to  claim 3 , wherein the oil line runs from the oil reservoir first to a cooling jacket of the compressor element before it runs to the secondary portion of said heat exchanger. 
     
     
         5 . The compressor installation according to  claim 1 , wherein an oil cooler is incorporated into the oil circuit for cooling the oil, wherein this oil cooler is incorporated into the oil line, upstream of the secondary portion of the heat exchanger of the oil circuit. 
     
     
         6 . The compressor installation according to  claim 5 , wherein a bridging line is provided over the oil cooler. 
     
     
         7 . The compressor installation according to  claim 1 , wherein an electric heater is incorporated into the regeneration line. 
     
     
         8 . The compressor installation according to  claim 1 , wherein an aftercooler and optionally also a liquid separator is incorporated into the outlet line between the first point and the second point. 
     
     
         9 . The compressor installation according to  claim 1 , wherein the dryer is provided with a housing in which the drying section and the regeneration section are located, wherein a drum, containing the drying agent, is arranged in the housing, which drum is connected to driving means such that the drying agent can be moved successively through the drying section and the regeneration section. 
     
     
         10 . The compressor installation according to  claim 1 , wherein the dryer comprises a number of vessels filled with the drying agent, of which at least one vessel forms the drying section and at least one vessel forms the regeneration section, wherein the dryer further comprises a valve system connecting the outlet line, the regeneration line and optionally the return line to said vessels, wherein said valve system is such that at least one vessel is always being regenerated, while the other vessels dry the compressed gas, wherein by controlling the valve system the vessels are each in turn being regenerated. 
     
     
         11 . The compressor installation according to  claim 1 , wherein a venturi ejector is incorporated into the outlet line at the location of said second point. 
     
     
         12 . The compressor installation according to  claim 1 , wherein a blower is incorporated into the outlet line at the location of said second point. 
     
     
         13 . The compressor installation according to  claim 1 , wherein the compressor installation is provided with two compressor elements that are connected in series, wherein an intercooler is incorporated between both compressor elements for cooling the compressed gas.